System Management Mode

hardware (SMM) A reduced power consumption state provided by

some Intel microprocessors. When a CPU enters SMM it

saves its current state in a special area of static RAM

called SMRAM (System Management RAM) and then runs a

program, also stored in SMRAM, the SMM handler.

SMM is implemented in all Intel "SL" suffixed CPUs. In June

1993, Intel announced it was discontinuing its SL range and

instead making all its current processors SL enhanced.

See also Auto Idle.

(1994-11-09)